The slow-paced village life often attracts urban visitors. Keezhamattaiyan or Kovilmattiyan, as mentioned in a village wall painting has plenty that leaves visitors awestruck. That is what scores of college students felt after walking barefoot on the village streets.
As a mark of respect to Valagurunathaswamy Temple, also known as Karuppasamy Temple and Angala Parameswari Temple, the use of footwear inside the is banned. But ironically, hygiene takes a backseat as villagers carry the foot wears in their hands.
Valagurunathaswamy Temple is believed to be 13th Century temple that houses a mutilated inscription disclosing facts about donation of land to the temple during the period of Maravarman Sundarapandian, known as ‘Maduraiyai Meetta Sundarapandian’ (1216-1238 AD). The inscription also provides details about list of taxes waived for the temple land.
Students presented these facts during Heritage 2012 spread over two days of cultural contests last weekend. The TATA DHAN Academy organized the fest with an aim to provide space for students to learn, document, disseminate, relate and respect village culture, tradition and beliefs.
Students found that villagers travel long distances for availing medical care besides being victims of acute water shortage. They also concentrated on issues like primary education, sanitation, alcoholism and child labour. Students were asked to spend time with villagers who shared their unique beliefs and battles for better facilities.
Event coordinator J.A.N. Vijayabharathi says, “Students walked through narrow streets to collect each and every bit of interesting information for documentation.”
Learning the roots
“Learning about heritage, traditions and culture is similar to knowing our roots. Hence ‘Heritage -2012’ was a platform for students to understand village traditions besides processing challenges of development,” she adds.
“Heritage 2012 was not a usual cultural festival organized in colleges. It was aimed at enabling students learn the ways of life and tradition directly from the villagers,” says Vijayabharathi.
The competition gave time and opportunity to students for observing situations and evolving strategies in protecting cultural and traditional knowledge that exist in the village. Under the ‘Pracharan – marketing rural products’ event, students identified three local products – Lotus tube, Eecham mat and palm water (pathaneer) that have a huge market in urban areas. The students developed strategies that would help the villagers to earn better livelihood.
Under the ‘Talash-Identifying potential development leaders’ event, students moved door-to-door to find out potential leaders who could rub shoulders with villagers for the development of the village.
In ‘Chitralekha-drawings’ competition, colours spoke a lot about poverty and problems of Keezhamattaiyan. Students also participated in other events namely–Varnabharathi-rangoli,’ Prasar- communication with community,’ Medha-development quiz, Mudra – States’ folk dance,’ and ‘Manthan-debate.’
The festival also provided space for students to perform in cultural competition. In Sanskriti – traditional dress competition – students mesmerized villagers with their attires representing the village deity Lord Karuppasamy and farmers. Similarly, in Mudra-folk dance programme students displayed their knowledge and skill in folk dances of various States of the country.
As many as 66 students from six city schools participated in 11 events and Thiagarajar School of Management emerged as over all winners. Earlier, villagers welcomed students with oyilattam and kummi.
Mutharayars
R. Venkatraman, retired professor, Madurai Kamaraj University, says the village has two dominating communities - Mutharayars and Poyars. Mutharayars were local chieftains who ruled the region between Thanjavur and Tirumayam. In the 10th century AD, with the rising of Imperial Cholas, Mutharayars moved to various places and few settled down at Keezhamattiayan village. “As they belong to ruling community, discipline remains a trait for them.”
‘Into the Past, Onto the Future’ screamed posters. The event’s motto was ‘taking urban India to rural Bharat. ‘
